77 Rules for a Young Man
A Biblical Guide to Manhood
I. Seek God First
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” — Proverbs 9:10
1. Fear God above all else. (Proverbs 9:10; Matthew 10:28)
2. Seek first the Kingdom of God. (Matthew 6:33)
3. Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. (Deuteronomy 6:5; Mark 12:30)
4. Walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)
5. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. (Proverbs 3:5–6)
6. Let Christ be formed in you. (Galatians 4:19)
7. Delight yourself in the Lord. (Psalm 37:4)
8. Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
9. Meditate on God’s Word day and night. (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2)
10. Hide God’s Word in your heart. (Psalm 119:11)
11. Worship the Lord in spirit and truth. (Psalm 95:1–7; John 4:23–24)
II. Build Godly Character
“Above all else, guard your heart.” — Proverbs 4:23
12. Guard your heart. (Proverbs 4:23)
13. Be quick to listen and slow to speak. (James 1:19)
14. Let your words give grace. (Ephesians 4:29; Proverbs 15:1)
15. Speak the truth in love. (Ephesians 4:15; Proverbs 12:22)
16. Keep your promises. (Ecclesiastes 5:4–5; Matthew 5:37)
17. Welcome correction. (Proverbs 12:1; 15:31–32)
18. Confess your sins and repent quickly. (1 John 1:9; Proverbs 28:13)
19. Clothe yourself with humility. (1 Peter 5:5–6; Proverbs 15:33)
20. Be slow to anger. (Proverbs 14:29; James 1:19–20)
21. Number your days that you may gain wisdom. (Psalm 90:12)
III. Master Your Desires
“A man without self-control is like a city broken into.” — Proverbs 25:28
22. Exercise self-control over your body, appetites, and desires. (Galatians 5:22–23; Proverbs 25:28; 1 Corinthians 9:27)
23. Flee sexual immorality. (1 Corinthians 6:18–20)
24. Make a covenant with your eyes. (Job 31:1)
25. Think on whatever is pure. (Philippians 4:8)
26. Treat younger women as sisters, in absolute purity. (1 Timothy 5:2)
27. Love your wife as Christ loved the Church. (Ephesians 5:25–33)
28. Honor marriage. (Hebrews 13:4)
29. Fast to humble yourself before God. (Matthew 6:16–18; Isaiah 58:6–11)
30. Do not let pleasure become your master. (Titus 2:11–12; Proverbs 21:17)
31. Rest in God’s provision. (Exodus 20:8–11; Matthew 11:28–30)
IV. Work with Excellence
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord.” — Colossians 3:23
32. Work as unto the Lord. (Colossians 3:23–24)
33. Be diligent. (Proverbs 6:6–11; 10:4)
34. Finish what you begin. (Ecclesiastes 9:10; Luke 14:28–30)
35. Grow in wisdom and knowledge. (Proverbs 1:5; 2 Peter 3:18)
36. Develop your gifts faithfully. (Romans 12:6–8; 1 Peter 4:10)
37. Be dependable in small things. (Luke 16:10; Proverbs 20:6)
38. Be prepared before opportunity comes. (Proverbs 21:5)
39. Steward what God has entrusted to you. (Matthew 25:14–30)
40. Leave things better than you found them. (Genesis 2:15; Titus 3:14)
41. Finish the race faithfully. (2 Timothy 4:7–8)
V. Steward Wealth Wisely
“Honor the LORD with your wealth.” — Proverbs 3:9
42. Love people more than money. (1 Timothy 6:10)
43. Live beneath your means. (Proverbs 21:20)
44. Save wisely. (Proverbs 6:6–8; 21:20)
45. Give generously. (2 Corinthians 9:6–8; Acts 20:35)
46. Pay what you owe. (Romans 13:7–8; Psalm 37:21)
47. Reject dishonest gain. (Proverbs 11:1; 16:11)
48. Learn contentment. (Philippians 4:11–13; Hebrews 13:5)
49. Store treasures in heaven. (Matthew 6:19–21)
50. Remember everything belongs to God. (Psalm 24:1; Haggai 2:8)
VI. Love Others Well
“Love your neighbor as yourself.” — Leviticus 19:18; Mark 12:31
51. Honor your father and mother. (Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:1–3)
52. Lead your family with sacrificial love. (Ephesians 5:25; Joshua 24:15)
53. Walk with wise friends. (Proverbs 13:20)
54. Rejoice in another person’s success. (Romans 12:15)
55. Forgive as Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:31–32; Colossians 3:13)
56. Bless those who persecute you. (Luke 6:27–28; Romans 12:14)
57. Pursue peace. (Romans 12:18; Hebrews 12:14)
58. Encourage the discouraged. (1 Thessalonians 5:14; Hebrews 10:24–25)
59. Comfort those who mourn. (2 Corinthians 1:3–4; Romans 12:15)
60. Defend the weak. (Proverbs 31:8–9; Isaiah 1:17)
61. Care for widows, orphans, and strangers. (James 1:27; Deuteronomy 10:18–19)
62. Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly. (Micah 6:8)
VII. Finish Well
“Be faithful unto death.” — Revelation 2:10
63. Be strong and courageous. (Joshua 1:9; 1 Corinthians 16:13)
64. Put on the whole armor of God. (Ephesians 6:10–18)
65. Resist the devil. (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8–9)
66. Stand firm in the faith. (1 Corinthians 16:13; Ephesians 6:13)
67. Test everything by Scripture. (Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:21)
68. Be holy in all your conduct. (Leviticus 19:2; 1 Peter 1:15–16)
69. Let your light shine before others. (Matthew 5:14–16)
70. Become a servant before becoming a leader. (Mark 10:42–45; Philippians 2:3–8)
71. Make disciples. (Matthew 28:19–20)
72. Fight the good fight of faith. (1 Timothy 6:12)
73. Fix your eyes on Jesus. (Hebrews 12:1–2)
74. Live each day expecting His return. (Matthew 24:42–44; Titus 2:13)
75. Be conformed to the image of Christ until the end. (Romans 8:29; Colossians 1:15; 1 John 3:2)
76. Give thanks in all circumstances. (1 Thessalonians 5:18; Psalm 107:1)
77. Await the resurrection and the renewal of all things. (Romans 8:18–25; Revelation 21:1–5)
“He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” — Micah 6:8
“Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.” — Matthew 6:33